The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-09-14

.'EORTENSE.
most gorgeous lines upon tree and
shrub. only to shake the leaves in reci.
less sport from the branches. and send
them torn and >hrivcied through the
air. thus teaching that in nature. Is in
human life. the fairest things are the
most cvancSccnt.
One evening in late autumn mes
sengcr came from the Swiss villa sum
moninr the Russian doctor in all pos
sible haste In the absence Of the fam
child. the only one left at home, had
fallen violently i'll of Group. Our doc
tor hurried away, and few moments
after entered an elegautly-furniShed
house. A servant in gorgeous livery
uShered him up the winding stairs to 4
luxurious apartment leading into the
chamber of the little sufferer. The
door softly opened. and Arnim Elbthal
stood in sudden terror upon the
threshold.
..Hortense ~ he whispered. with
white lips. In the reflection Of rosy
lamp the living image of that long-lost
one stood before him. 1t was the same
slender. graceful, white-robcd figure,
only taller and more developed than
the blooming child OF those olden days.
Here was the same head enframcd in
way brown hair which seemed strewn
with "old-dust The charming ly-cut
profile. the piquant nose, the warm
conventional seemed the very same.
Was ne dreaming? Was he under some
enchanyt:'s spell? He drew nearer.
The Russian doctor" the servant
'mounccd, and vanished
An upturned face showed the eyes OF
Horten>c gazing into those Of the doc
tor-rot sunny. clear and confident as
in that carly day, but sad and entreat-
ing. On the lap of the young girl lay
the child, moaning and claSping her
hand.
"Hortense St. Hilaire!" murmured
the doctor, as in :, dream.
THAT was my mothers name, "
came the answer, in foreign accent.
"Mv name is De$irec DuvoiS. and ! am
French governess in this house. You
are DR.. Elbthal, and You knew my
mother as child. How delighted /
am 10 see YOU! / have so longed to
make your acquaintance. l sent Tor
YOU because sure of -our skill. !"
Her eyes now fell upon the child who
breathcd. heavily. In 4 moment Ar
MIN was near her. all other thoughts
and remembranceS los. in the phy>i'
clan who examined the patient and
gave directions in that clear, decided
way which impressed all he met.
Il shall remain until the crisis is
over he said.
DcSiree's eyes spoke her gratitude.
She nodded, but asked no question.
The child's nurse, who slept in the
next room, entered noiselessly- The
little form was laid in bed, the doctor
and the governess sitting on either
side.
The doctor ventured only one qEes-
ton: Where does your mother liYe?"
The girls eyes filled with tears as
she answered: Mamma died six years
ago-papa long before. l scarce re-
member him. l am IN orphan. Dis
tant relatives in Paris brought me here
year ago that might earn my own
living.
Her voice chokcd. she bowed her
head and hot tears fell upon the tiny
hands OF the sick child which clutched
at the lace trimmings of the satin quilt.
Poor young creature. How hard TO
see her days pass thus, loveless and
homeless! Poor Hortense to be
forced to die leaving daughter alone
and unprotected in cruel worldl
Now began the lacgard course of
those lcadcn hours all know who have
watched By sicl-bed. noting every
pulSc-bcat of the sufferer who is
stru@@ln" with life and death. At
the foot Of the bed covered the old
nurse, panic-Strickcn and helpless.
The other servants, anxious and cX-
cited, gathered in the kitchen and
gave vent to their fears in sepulchral
whispers At last the violent
paroxySms subSided, the child's
breathing grew more calm, and, Us the
first sunbeam stole through the heavy
curtains, the doctors deep voice muir
INJURED: Saved
For a>wcr, Hc>iree bent over his
hand an': kissed ii.
Son have the family physician
suMnoM",; Ec said. L was only
his ab>;ilUtc. think Mile. Duvoi>,
thai, ao soon rs the child's parents rc-
II, you may feel free to visit the
house wn@rc Your lnothc: lived rs q
child. My cousin Marianne will be
delighted 20 know YOU.
Ni:i 4 i:camin@ glance Dcsiree
rcac:;.J h;n her hand.
y >ilall certainly co:nc to thank You
and to talk with yoa Of my mother. /
bless little Fanny'> illness which has
brourh; 10 me the friend Of her youth.
They parted each with u hearty acf
NIeGcrSeheR!